The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Field Day is an annual event held on the fourth full weekend in June of each year. It is an opportunity for amateur radio enthusiasts throughout the U.S and Canada to set up temporary communications stations and make contact with like-minded people .The contest part is simply to contact as many other stations as possible and to learn to operate radio gear in abnormal situations and less than optimal conditions
For many clubs and SMRA, ARRL Field Day is one of the highlights of their annual calendar. It is FUN and SOCIAL. It provides an opportunity for organized planning and execution of a sustained effort which is good for Public Service Events planning & coordination and possibly for fitting into State and Local emergency planning.
ARRL Field Day is amateur radio’s open house. It is a tremendous opportunity to show the public who we are and what assets we bring to our communities. That helps keep amateur radio visible, which is important to the long‐term sustainability of our service and hobby. Those interested in getting into the hobby can talk to operators, see and even use some of the equipment under supervision. Some making their very first contact at Field Day.
We use these same skills demonstrated at Field Day when we help with events such as providing emergency communications during Motorcycle events such a Enduro MC, bike-a-thons, and walk-a-thons— these are all large, preplanned, non-emergency activities where Cell coverage may be spotty.
We had 46 visitors at this year’s Field Day, despite some rain, it was an excellent turnout. SMRA set up 6 stations doing: Morse Code, Voice, Digital communications, Satellite communications and operating our Get On The Air Station (GOTA), where the public can give amateur radio a try. Below are some photos of this year’s SMRA event.
